London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Whitechapel 1869
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Whitechapel]
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12
Since this report was presented to the Board, I have received a return of
the cases of relapsing fever admitted into the London Fever Hospital from this
District. Up to August 31st, 9 cases, September, 14 cases, October, 7 cases,
November 1—9, inclusive, 14 cases. The greater number of these cases were
removed from the registered lodging houses, which are under the care of the
police. Relapsing fever appears now to be on the decrease, the return of cases
for the week ending November 13th, being 4, and for that ending 20th Nov. 3.
For the purpose of showing the present condition of the District as regards the prevalence of fever, and its condition during the corresponding six weeks of the previous year, I laid before the Board at its meeting on Monday, the 22nd November, the following returns:—
| 1868. Cases of Fever attended by the Medical Officers of the Union during the weeks ending | 1868. Deaths from Fever, in the entire District during the same weeks. | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct. 10th 5 | Oct. 31st 18 | Oct. 10th 2 | Oct. 30th 4 |
| „ 17th 7 | Nov. 7th 17 | „ 17th 2 | Nov. 7th 5 |
| „ 24th 5 | „ 14th 14 | ,, 24th 2 | 14th 4 |
| Total Cases | 66 | Total Deaths | 19 |
| 1869. | 1869. | ||
| Oct. 9th 12 | Oct. 30th 11 | Oct. 9th 0 | Oct. 30th 2 |
| ,, 16th 21 | Nov. 6 th 17 | „ 16th 2 | Nov. 6th 1 |
| „ 23rd 7 | ,, 13th 10 | ,, 23rd 2 | 13th 0 |
| Total Cases | 78 | Total Deaths | 7 |
By the above comparative statement it will be seen that the number of
deaths from fever has been less in the six weeks terminating on November 14th,
1869, than in 1868; but the number of cases has been greater, thereby showing
that although the cases have been more numerous the disease has been of a
milder type. Of the cases returned during the above-mentioned period for this
year, 13 are of relapsing fever.
As the presence of this fever is indicative of unusual destitution, it will be
desirable to make the best possible provision to contend with the existing want.
It has been suggested, in a letter forwarded to this Board by Dr. Buchanan,
that some increase of the staff of your Board should be made, and as it is highly
important that the habitations of persons suffering from fever and from scarletfever,
which is now very prevalent, should be disinfected, I think it would be
a wise precaution if the Board would employ some person for that purpose
during the present period. The above recommendation was acceded to, and a
person has accordingly been appointed.
I am, Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
JOHN LIDDLE.
15, Great Alie Street.